davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26

FIVE PERSONS SHOT IN VIRGINIA
COURT RooM.-A dispatch from Tazewell
Courthouse, Va, dated January 1S, gives
the following account of an extraordinary
scene in courthouse there: During Col.
A. ]. Mays speech for the defense in the
Miller trial, at P. M. today, W. G. Bald
win, witness for the prosecution, denoune-
ed q statement of Mays in regard to Bald
wins testimony as "a - lie,' and imme-
diately began firing, Col. May was shot
through the leg, a flesh wound; Rev. A.
Tilley in the head, scalp wound; A. J. Tyns
in the arm, and John Witten in the mouth,
slight wound, and W. W. Barnett, slight
scalp wound. Col. May returned Baldwin's
fire without effect. Intense excitement
prevails. Baldwin started for his home, and
will be sent to Jail. Two or three months
since hotel kept by r. A. Miller at Poca-
hontas, Va, was destroyed by fire. The
house was insured, and soon rumors were
abroad that he and his son had set it on fire
in order to get the insurance. A few weeks
afterwards the elder Miller was indicted for
arson at Christiansburg, where he had
formerly lived and was we'll known. The
charge seemed SO prepostereus and i'm
probable that its prosecution was quickly
abandoned. Subsequently the two lIillers
were again indicted on the same charge in
the County Court of Tazewell County, in
which Pocahentas is situated, and the trial
is now in progress, the defense being con-
Quoted by Colonel A. J. May, as above re-
ported
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26
The State Agricultural Society.

The Executive Committee of the State
Agricultural Society was in session in Rich
mond on the 10Th instant, Mr.. Geo. W.
Mayo, who has been the Secretary of the
institution for number of years, declined
further service. Major A. R. Venable, OF
Farmville, was unanimously elected to the
position. From a report of the proceedings
it is inferred that Major Venable will make
thorough canvass Of the State in the
interests of the Society, and he is repre-.
sented as well qualified for that purpose
Ifthis movement is to be carried out in
good earnest it will accomplish a great
deal for the future of the Society il filling
the objects of its creation.
A committee was appointed to confer
with the Richmond Council looking to the
use of the grounds as a park-tbe city to
adorr them and make them attractive for
that purpose when net in the use of the
Society for its exhibitions.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26

Colonel Robert Beverly, Major A. H.
Drewry, Major r. V. Gaines, DR.. M. @.
Holt, and Mr.. s. w. Corbin, the committee
appointed by the Executive Committee of
the Virginia State Agricultural Society to
wait upon the Governor and request that
the time for laying the cornerstone of the
Lee monument be postponed until the next
exhibition of the State Fair, called upon
the Governor on the 10Th instant. Colonel
Beverly, the chairman, made known to his
Excellency the object of their visit. Gov
ernor Lee said he would take the matter
under consideration that as advised at
present he was unable to say whether or
not their request could be acceded to !; that
about $50, 600 has been secured to pay for
the statue, and four of the most renowned
European sculptors have the specifications
in hand and are working On models. No
provision has as yet been made for securing
the funds for placing the foundation. Rich
mond will be asked either to have the
foundation and base prepared ready for the
statue, or to appropriate $40, 900 for that
purpose. -Dispatch.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26
Stauutou Speftaisy !.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY &c, 1887.
Longitudinal.

The cities rising on the upper lakes all
representing the expansion and increasing
power of agricultural production, are carv-
ing out new connecting routes for their
commerce with the South. The railroads
continuing from the Southern States into
Mexico, and those terminating at the cities
on the Gulf and Southern seaboard avail
able for direct connection with the marts of
trade high up in the northwestern States,
are becoming more and more the objects of
interest in the increasing desire for contin-
uous and closely connected communication
by longitudinal lines as they appear prac-
ticable for that purpose, and Chicago has
now in the Illinois Central railroad direct
line under one control from that city to
New Orleans.
The widening northwest seems unwilling
longer to remain passive in conducting its
Southern commerce, andsto confine itself
by the routes running eastward and thence
at right-angles southwark over eircuitous
length as compared with longitudinal lines.
This feeling is also receiving strong aux
iliary incentive through the growing devel-
opmeot in the South, particularly in the
iron and kindred industries, calling for
largely increased supplies of subsistence
from the bread and meat-produeing sec
tions-and VIC may say that Chicago in
controlling influences largely supplies those
,,,4o 30 iunr
interest manifested in every line of i'm
provement, no matter how short or small,
which is on or near and running with the
parallels from the upper lakes to New Or
LEAFS, sweeping around to Norfolk and
Newport News.
In proportion as the South becomes the
producer of iron, cotton and other fabrics
demanded in the North, the Northwest
will become customer of it. The South as
a consumer of bread and meat-supplies
from the Northw est would stimulate re-
ciprocal intercourse, the magnitude OF
which cannot now be estimated.
1t appears, too, that the increased desire
for direct communication southwark ia not
confined to railroads, real or contemplated
Commencing in way which attracted at
first but little attention, as measure to be
aided from the National treasury, the advo-
Gates for constructing ship-cansl from
Lake Michigan to the Mississippi river
across the State of Illinois, are pressing
that scheme before Congress with much
determination, and declare their purpose
to do so till successful.
Our Southern ports may yet become OF
more than their present chief importance as
shippers of sugar, cotton and lumber. The
iron Of the South will be added. Grain,
fl our and live stock are finding new depot
III transit at Newport News, and the future
of all under the influences of direct COM
munication with the wide expause Of ceun-
try between the lakes and the Rocky Noun
tains as it shall be opened, as it is destined
to be, is yet to be made known, and will
be III proportion to the ability for increas-
ing coastwise and foreign commerce.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26
TEMPERANCE IN GEoRe1A-Tbe savap

TEMPERANCE IN GEoReIA.-The Savan-
nah News finds cause for congratulation in
the fact that in Georgia 'the holiday sea-
son has been almost wholly free from the
crimes of violence which in former years
brought sadness to so many hearts and
trouble into SO many homes.' The News
gives the credit for this gratifying state of
affairs to the growing temperance senti-
ment throughout the State, and goes on to
say: "While prohibition may not always
prohibit, it is educating the young men to
an appreciation of the benefits of temper
ance. In Georgia, therefore, and other
States where the prohibition sentiment is
strong and growing, it may reasonably be
expected that each succeeding holiday sea-
son will be less and less marked by the
crimes which whisky leads men to COM
mit.'
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26
The Governor and Public Sentiment

From the Rich. Dispatch of last Thursday
Governor Lee said in conversation yester-
day that n pressure Of any sort was ever
brought to bear upon him by citizens of
Richmond or elsewhere to influence him to
let the law take its course in the Cluverius
matter. Indeed, that the great mass of
persons who Thought Cluverius guilty re-
Trained from uttering a word, and even his
best personal friends in the State were as
dumb as an oyster, and had no word of ad-
vice to give; but that since his action letters
have been pouring in on him from all quar-
ters applauding his course
The pressure all came from the other
side, and all the letters, kilograms, and
visits were from and by persons who for diff
ferent reasons implored him to interpose
between the courts and tie prisoner-frst,
cranks; second, sentimentalists; third, per-
sons who do net believe in capital punish
ment; and, fourth, those who are really
CONSCIENTIOUS in the belief that the evidence
did not justify the verdict. They had read it
all in the ne,cspapers!! at the time, and kaeao
all about it, but NO one, said the Governor,
who has not studied the official record and
has knowledge of the many outside facte
the Topography of the ground, &C., &c
can be said to know the case. Even now
there are many things the public have new
or been told in that case
l endeavored, said he, to preserve my
composure throughout the trying ordeal;
but must confess when people would talk
of Richmond's blood thirstiness, and that
the poor fellow was convicted by the force
of public opinion here before the jury went
into court, it was diffic1it to do it. Why,
the day before Cluvsrus was hung reoeiv-
ed dispatch from very reliable, good fell
lew in Alexandria saying that one of the
jurors had just told him 'Ithat if he or any
other juror had hung the jury, he believes
he would have been mobbed." Did you
ever hear such nonsense as that? If a crime
Of such proportions had been committed in
Alexandria, and the people of that good old
town had walked up one morning and found
that a young woman had been found in
their reservoir, and that in all probability a
murder had been committed, they would
naturally have been in more excited state
about it than other localities, and any one
who knows Alexandria knows that when
she is good she is very good" but when she
is excited she is uproarious
As long as | ana Governor of the State,
said he, and the courts say a man is guilty,
and the man says he is not, but fails to
briug proof to that effect-of the two I am
going to believe the courts, and the people
may rest assured the law will be carried
out, for so my oath Of office directs.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26

WAR PREPARATIONS IN AUSTRALIA
though the Bulgarian situation has improv-
ed, the military preparations of the Austro-
Hungarian government continue undated.
In the event of mobilization three great
armies will be formed, each corps having no
less than 250,0 900 men. Commanders for
these corps have already been designated.
1t is believed that these gigantic prepare
tons have been undertaken less from fear
of war with Russia concerning Bulgaria
than with view to the contingency of war
between France and Germany, which would
cause additional Eastern complications.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26

PRESTON VALENTINE HANGED.-At Au-
gusta, Georgia, on last Friday, Preston
Valentine was hanged at las P. M. for the
murder of VIM. Wales, Waterman at the
station of the Augusta and Summerville
the 18th of September, 1884. After killing
Wales, Valentine robbed the Office of $50,
and a few days afterwards disappeared.
He eluded arrest for eighteen months, and
was finally arrested at Lowmoor, Allegheny
CO., Va. He confessed his guilt after his
trial
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26

ernor can override the solemn decisions Of
juries and the DEGREES of our highest courts
by his simple ediet, we should like to know
of what account would be such verdicts and
decisions, however well and justly rendered.
1t would place our jury system, which
comes down to us for centuries from the
old English law, in public contempt, make
our highest courts mockery and nullity,
and render the single Governor of o State
monarch of all he surveys.
Our honest conviction is that Gov. Lee
has acted right in everything he has done or
could do, and that if he had acted differently
he wenld have brought himself and his State
into public and universal contempt for a
lack of common firmness and justice. For
the maudlin sentiment of few cranks and
sympathetic persons who will pardon rhe
brutal murder of woman and then condone
the crime of the criminal we have no SYM
pathy .-Lynchburg Advance.
The prisoner seems to have hoped and
believed, until the trapdoor fell from be-
meath his feet, that the preparations made
for his death were only intended to extert
from him confession of guilt; that the
executioners had reprieve or commute
ton of sentence, which they would produce
at the last moment, if he persisted In assert
ing his innocence. He we'll knew, on the
other hand, that confession would not
pro]ong his life for one moment. and that
1t would cause him to be closely questioned
as to his aceompliees and accessories before
and after the fact.
To outward appearance, he lived in Jail,
and died on the scaffold, not only with
unshrinking courage, but with scarcely a
trace of emotion of any kind. How much
ofthis was due to false hope, and how much
to native hardihood, it is impossible to say.
That the prisoner was guilty, we have no
doubt. We think that the evidence at his
trial not merely convicted him of the be-
trayal and murder of his cousin, but show
ed that for years before he had been an &C
complished hypocrite. He seems to have
been born without any moral sense. and to
have been incapable of acquiring any. He
had sufficient mental aeuteness to show him
what was esteemed among honorable men
and women, but no moral perception ESQ
far as appears from his conduct) that there
was in crime any evil unless in it's detection
aud punishment.
We think that those good people who
shed tears of sympathy for the fate Of Clu-
verius would do better to wipe their eyes
and open them to the cases of suffering
innocence and real distress to be found
everywhere by those who choose to see
them.-Nelso Examiner.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26

A white farmer, named Charles jackson,
was beaten over the head with the butt of
gun in the hands of drunken colored
man named Thompson, at Northwest
Locks on the Dismal Swamp canal, on
Wednesday and almost instantly killed
Thompson escaped and fed into North
Carolina.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26

Speaker Carlisle has filed an answer to
Mr.. Thoebe's amended notice Of contest.
denying all the allegations therein. In bis
answer, Mr.. Carlisle charges lack of COM
pliance with the law iu appointing officers
of the election. These charges, if sustain
ed, would throw out the entire vote Of
Kenten and Campbell counties, which are
the only counties in the district which re-
turned majority for Mr. Thoebe.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26

To THE MOTHER OF THE FATHER OF HIS
CoUNTRY.-Among the various propositions
before Congress fer the erection of menu-
ments none can be considered more merito-
riens than the bill offered by Representa-
tive Croxton to complete the monument To
the memory of the mother Of Washington,
begun in 1888. The common council of
Fredericksburg asks that $780, 900 be apple
priated for the purpose. For democrats the
work will have a special recommendation
in the fact that the cornerstone was laid by
President jackson.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26

The Senate ia executive session Thursday
confirmed the nomination ofDouglas Tyler,
of Virginia, to be chief of the public land
claims division of the Interior Department,
also that of T. d. Jennings to be postmaster
at Lynchburg, and George Booker at Fort
ress Monroe.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26

MILLER AcQUITTED.-Thursday the trial
of Miller and his sen at Tazewell Court
House, charged with having burnt their
hotel at Pocahentas last October, was con-
Guided. After conference of five minutes
the jury rendered decision in which all
eencurred, in favor of Miller
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26

Charles Smith, a prominent Knight of
Labor and president of the Co-operatige
Cigar Company of Delaware, Ohio, was ar
rested Saturday by detective from Ian
caster, Pa, charged with being an escaped
convict. His aliases are said to be Andre "
Ehman and Michael Redman.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26

DWELLING BURNED IN PAGE COUNTY
On Tuesday morning, the 18Th instant, the
dwelling of Mrs. Asher Richard near KIM
bal, Page county, was burned. Loss 81, 600.
No insurance. Nearly all the household
property was saved.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26
A comet was discovered Saturday

A comet was discovered Saturday even
ing by Mr.. VIM R. Brooks, of Phelps, N.
Y. He describes it as faint and as having
a slow motion easternly. At P. M. Satur-
day evening its position was about right
ascension eighteen hours, deeliuation north
sevehty-one degrees, or in the constellation
Draco.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26

THE EUROPEAN CAUSE.-THE most emi-
nous war news that has reached us recent
ly, says the Bait. Sun, were the orders issu-
ed by Austria to that humane ms titution,
the Red Cross Society, to raise the stats Of
the hospitals under its management to their
full strength, and to quadruple the number
of beds in those institutions. This noble
society has kindred associations in tie diff
ferent countries of Europe, all of which
under the Red Cross flag are entitled by in
ternational agreement to pursue their hu-
name work of caring for the wounded on
the field of battle and in the hospitals pro-
tected from all harm but chance shots by
the badge they wear and the flag they dis
play. Nor is it only the care bestowed up
on the men struck down Or manned in
battle belonging to one belligerent; it in
cludes those of enemy also, and by the rules
of the society makes no distinction in good
offices between them. The special duty Of
the Society of the Red Cress is to care for
the wounded in battle, and it is an ominous
thing when it is suddenly called upon to
fill up its surgical staff, which also implies
a possibly sudden call upon the large num-
bsr of men and women composing its mem
bership. This fact joined to the active
warlike preparations that are signaled
everywhere, may be taken as evidence that
the international situation, so far as the
countries Of Europe are concerned, is great
ly strained, and that we are approaching
crisis which may eliminate in war in the
Spring, or may lead, through the:negetia-
tions that are still carried OIL, to doubt
FIJI and uncertain peace. If Germany is
the arbitrator on the continent in one
sense, Russia is also the arbitrator In an
other and conflicting sense, and there is
nothing at present to base an opinion upon
with respect to peace or war in the coming
Spiing, or, if war, where the initial blow
will be struck.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26

Mrs. Joan G. Pinkerton, widow of Allan
Pinkerton, and mother of VIM A and
Robert Pinkerton, managers Of the detec-
tive agency, died in Chicago Saturday, aged
60 years. She was born in Edinburgh,
Scotland.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26
SCHOOL BOOKS.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES !

LARGEST STOCK! FULLEST ASSORTMENT!
SECONDHAND BOOKS-half-price and upwards.
Exercise Books School Bags, States, Pencils
and Inks. Tablets, Book Straps, Scholars
Companions, Pens and Holders, Draw
ing Papers and Ruers.
Everything Used in the School Room.
Good GoOds-Cheap Prices.
WARDEN & CO.,
JAMS E. Main St., Staunton, Va,
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26

XMAS GIFTS TO W. w. CoRcoRAN.- Tho
Washington correspondent of the Alexan-
dria Gazette says
among the Christmas and New Years
gifts Mr.. W. W. Corcoran received this year
were twenty-six pairs of slippers and twelve
mufflers, of which he already had enough
to stock a store, as he never gives any of
them away, having done SO once and been
detected.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26

Mr.. Michael Long, the wealthiest man in
Page county, died about Z o'clock Tuesday
morning, the 18th instant, of disease of the
kidneys, aged about 70 years. He leaves
widow and son and daughter.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26

Gov. Fitzhugh Lee, of Virginia. with a
party of dozen gentlemen, arrived in St.
Paul, Mimi, Sunday. They visited the
ice palace Monday, and at night attended
reception banquet at the Hotel Ryan,
Senator Davis was among the speakers.
The party will visit Duluth.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26

The total amount of revenue collected
by the oyster inspectors in Accomac coun-
ty during the first quarter Of the season is
$2,334 o., OF which the State receives $2,-
O45 so.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26
Gen.ERobert Il. Lee.

The Pail Mall Gazette in noticing "The
Memoirs of Gen. Robert E. Lee, his militia
~ and personal history" pays the follow
ing beautiful tribute to the loved southern
chief tain: "No biographer ever had a
nobler subject Robert Lee had character
ali but flawless, he was real king of men,
spotless in his high-souled integrity, born
to command and yet to be loved, unspoiled
by good fortune, as grandly calp in adyer-
sity, the shining figure, in a word, of the
stupendeus struggle that evoked the full
development of his special genius
r + He fought out the good fight, and
then, with noble dignity of resignation,
went out into retirement which he never
would break. His death was as beautiful
as had been his life, and his name will en-
dure while grandeur of soul, purity of
character, devoted patriotism, and ch;yalry
of the finest type are valued by mankind"
AN IMPORTANT DEcIsIoN.-The unani-
nous decision of the Supreme Court of Ap-
peals of Virginia, rendered on Thursday
last, in the case of the Commonwealth VS..
Jones, is to the effect that the act of March
4, 1886, to regulate the granting of licenses,
is constitutional, and that no mere tender
of coupons will authorize any person to
proceed with his business without license.
In other words, no merchant can do bust
ness in Virginia without license, whether
he has made to the proper officer tender
in coupons OR not. Commenting on this
decision, the Richmond Dispatch says =
"This decision comes in Just il, time to
prevent the treasury of the Commonwealth
from being filled with coupons by unpatri-
otto merchants. For it was not concealed
by the friends of an extra session of the
General Assembly that one of their main
reasons for favoring the same was the fear
that in the absence of additional legislation,
and under the pressure brought by the
bondholders TO bear upon the merchants to
induce them to tender coupons for the
license taxes, stream Of coupons would be
turned into the treasury next May"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26

Mrs. Stonewall Jackson, it is reported.
will make her future heme in San Diego,
CAL, with her son-in-law, Mr.. William
Christian, son of the Rev. VIM. II. Chris
tan, of the Virginia Conference.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26

ACCIDENT ON THE RAILRoAD.-On
Wednesday, the 10Th inst, near 5 o'clock
in the morning, on the G. g. o. r. W., ole
mile east of Meadow Creek, a station a
few miles west of Hinton, the sleeper and
lady S car on passenger train No. 2, were
derailed. Several passengers were bruised.
G. Nickel, merchant of Sinks Grove,
Monroe county, WA, had his shoulder dis
located. A broken rail caused the accident
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-26

Rev. Geo. M Funston, now of Henry
county, has been elected assistant to the
Rev. DR.. Minnigerode, Of st. Paul's church,
Richmond.